The view that most of the earth's geological features are the result of large-scale catastrophes such as floods, volcanic eruptions, ect.

Uniformitarianism

The view that most of the earth's geological features of slow gradual processes that been at work for millions or even billions of years.

Humus

The decayed remains of once-living creatures

Minerals

Inorganic crystalline substances found naturally in the earth

Weathering

The process by which rocks are broken down by the forces of nature.

Erosion

The process by which sediments and rocks fragments are carried away by wind or rain

Unconformity

A surface of erosion that separates one layer of rock from another

What hypothesis ( uniformitarianism or catastrophism) requires that the earth be billions of years old?

Uniformitarianism

What are the three basic types of rocks?

sedimentary rock, igneous rock, metamorphic rock

How is each type of rock in #3 formed?

Sedimentary rock is formed from sediments( sand, silt, and other components of soil).

Igneous rock is formed from molten rock.

Metamorphic rock goes through an extreme change due to lots of heat pressure.

What agent is most responsible for laying down most of the sedimentary rock that we see today?

Water

A rock in the desert is constant bombarded by bits of sand that are carried on the wind. The sand hits the rock so hard sometimes that tiny chips of the rock are broken off. As time goes on, the constant beating of the rock wears the rock down, and it gets much smaller. Has this rock gone through physical weathering of chemical.

Physical weathering

When limestone is exposed to weakly acidic water, it breaks down, forming a gas in the process. Is this chemical or physical weathering?

Chemical weathering

A geologist is comparing the erosion that occurs as result of two rivers. The first river flows quickly while the second one flows slowly. Which river will cause more erosion?

The fast flowing river

Two hillsides in the same community experience a very heavy rain. The first hillside is covered with grass and flowers, while the second is mostly bare. Which hillside will experience the erosion?

The bare one

Where do a large part of sediments carried by the river end up?

In a large lake or ocean

What causes an underground cavern to form?

When ground water erodes rock underground

What is difference between a stalactite and a stalagmite?

Stalactite hangs from the ceiling of caves. Stalagmite comes from the ground of caves.